Water treating apparatus



June 4, 1968 G. A. HANDELAND 3,336,808

WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ESSURETANK INV ENT OR GEORGE A. HANDELANO g L.- ATTORNEYS June 4, 1968 a,HANDELAND 3,386,808

WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1965 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENI'OR GEORGE A HANDELAND 9 fim/Z'M/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,386,808 WATER TREATING APPARATUS George A. Handeland, RR. 1, Ringsted,Iowa 50578 Filed Dec. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 512,921 4 Claims. (Cl. 23272.7)

This invention relates to water treatment and particularly to feedingsterilizing materials into a water supply line or system.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide aneflicient, relatively inexpensive and compact apparatus of the typedescribed which is particularly adapted for chlorination, although notlimited thereto.

Another object is the attainment of the foregoing advantages whileutilizing a chemical treating agent in the solid state.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus which may be effectivelyutilized in connection with a water supply system employing a well pumpas are prevalent in rural and certain suburban areas.

Still another object is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensiveapparatus of the type described which may be quickly and easilyinstalled by persons who are possessed of average technical skill.

Still another object is the provision of an apparatus possessing theadvantages recited which is also characterized by durability and ease ofadjustment while in service.

The foregoing, together with other objects and advantages of theinvention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus of the invention asapplied to a conventional household water supply system.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the distributor head which forms partof the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the impeller pump of the novel apparatus; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 designatesthe intermediate portion of a substantially cylindrical distributormember, the same being provided with a substantially flat top portion 3having a centrally disposed substantially cylindrical recess 4.

The lower end of the recess 4 of the distributor member 2 is of reduceddiameter, as shown at 4a, and provided with a downwardly dependingexternally screw-threaded portion 6 which carries a gasket 7 and whichis adapted to be received in, and be engaged by, the internallyscrew-threaded opening 8 in the top of a pressure vessel 9 whichreceives the solid water treating agent; for example calciumhypochlorite.

The chemical containing pressure vessel 9 may be made of fiberglass orother suitable material; and it may be sufiiciently transparent ortranslucent in whole or in part to enable an observer to determine theapproximate amount of the contents thereof.

As shown, the periphery of the intermediate portion 2 of thesubstantially cylindrical distributor member is provided with-apassageway 12 which extends inwardly to the axis thereof to communicatewith a right-angular passageway 13 which extends upwardly to the centerof the bottom of the substantially cylindrical recess 4 in the top ofthe intermediate portion of said distributor member.

As indicated earlier herein, the apparatus of the present invention isprimarily intended for association with the pressure tank of aconventional water supply system to which chlorine in suitable quantityhas been added.

The passageway 12 of the distributor member com- 3,386,868 Patented June4, 1968 municates with the outlet side of the pressure tank of the watersupply system; and due to its having previously been oxidized, the waterflowing therethrough is less corrosive, and accordingly, no oxidizingtakes place in the pressure vessel 9.

The interior of the substantially cylindrical distributor 2 is alsoprovided with a passageway 18 which extends from the center of thedownwardly depending externally screw-thread portion 6 diagonallyupwardly to communicate with the substantially flat upper portion 3,and, as wiil be described more fully hereinafter, with the periphery ofcentrally disposed cylindrical recess 4.

The lower end of the diagonally extending passageway 18 communicateswith the upper end of a distribution tube 19 which extends downwardlyintothe chemical tank 9 and which is secured to, and carried by, thedownwardly depending externally screw-threaded portion 6.

The side of the distributor member 2 which is opposite the diagonallyextending passageway 18 is provided with a vertical passageway 20' whichcommunicates with the bottom of the lower screw threaded portion 6; anda right-angular extension 21 provides communication between the upperend of the vertical passageway 20 and the exterior of the distributormember.

The lower end of the distribution tube 19 does not necessarily extendinto the solids at the bottom of the tank 9 but must be suificientlyspaced from the outlet passageways 20 and 21 so that the water coming inwill have sufficient time, that it, too, will become saturated to thelimit, with the chemical at the bottom of the tank before it is forcedout to treat new, untreated water, coming from the well and going to thepressure tank.

Detachably secured to the top of the distributor 2 is a cap 25 having acentrally disposed aperture 26 and a planar bottom surface.

As shown in the drawings the central aperture 26 in the cap 25 isprovided with a larger and concentric recess 27 for receivinga shaftseal 28. A downwardly diverted drain conduit 29 provides communicationbetween the upper portion of the concentric recess 27 and the peripheryof the distributor cap 25.

Disposed within the central recesses 4 and 4a in the top of thedistributor member 2 is a substantially cylindrical pump impeller 30which comprises a disc-like main body portion having a series of equallyspaced radial ports 31 which extend from the center to the peripherythereof. The inner end of each of the radial ports 31 is directeddownwardly, as shown at 31a, and communicates with the interior of acollar 32 on the underside of the disc-like main body portion of thesubstantially cylindrical pump impeller 30.

As shown, the interior of the collar 32 communicates with the verticalextension 13 of the passageway 12 of the distributor 2.

It will be understood that while eight radial ports 31 are shown in thedrawings, any number from two upwardly may be employed provided, ofcourse, they are equally spaced.

An electric motor 35 is mounted atop the cap 25 with its drive shaft 36extending downwardly through the shaft seal 28 and projecting from thebottom of the cap and into connecting engagement with the top of thesubstantially cylindrical pump impeller 30.

The side wall of the substantially cylindrical recess 4 of thedistributor member 2 is provided with a concave pocket 4b which curvesoutwardly and terminates in a small inward extending concave end wall40.

The concave pocket 4b of the substantially cylindrical recess 4communicates at its point of greatest width with the upper end of thediagonal passageway 18. The lower end of the diagonal passageway 18connects with the 3 upper end of the distribution tube 19, as previouslydescribed.

As will be described more fully hereinafter, the electric motor 35 isconnected to the well pump in such manner that it will commence tooperate whenever the well pump starts to operate; and it should becapable of building-up, through the rotation of the cylindrical pumpimpeller 30, a pressure of approximately five to approximately fifteenpounds per square inch or more without causing excessive heat.

According to the foregoing construction and arrangement, the rotation ofthe cylindrical pump impeller 30 will draw water from the upper end ofthe right-angular extension 13 of the passageway 12 and force the sameoutwardly through the radial ports 13 into the concave pocket 4b of thesubstantially cylindrical recess 4, then downwardly through the diagonalpassageway 18 and distribution tube 19 and into the bottom of thepressure vessel 9 which contains the water treating agent, i.e., calciumhypochlorite.

Water from the outlet side of the pressure tank of the water supplysystem is supplied through a water line 40 to the radially extendingpassageway 12; and this water line is preferably provided with amanually adjustable needle valve 41 and an electric solenoid valve 42which is disposed between it and the outer end of the passageway 12.

The solenoid valve 42 and the electric motor 35 are wired together, andin turn connected to a pressure switch 46 in the existing water system,the pressure switch 46 being also connected to the well pump motor 50.Accordingly, all of these elements start and stop in direct relationshipwith the pressure of the water. When the well pressure system stops, thesolenoid valve 42 completely isolates the distributor member 2 and itsassociated elements.

After the previously oxidized Water passes through the solid chemicaltreating agent in the pressure vessel 9, it is caused to flow throughthe passageways 20 and 21, a pressure relief valve 47, and a water line48 which communicates with the Water inlet line between the well pumpand the pressure tank of the conventional Water supply system.

The simple adjustment, from time to time, of the needle valve 41 servesto maintain the residual chlorine at the desired level.

The solid, or semi-solid, chemical treating agent remains at the bottomof the chemical containing pressure vessel 9 to continue to saturate theincoming water until only the carriers of the chemical are lefttherewithin. At this time, the pressure container vessel 9 is easilyremoved, flushed, and refilled.

From the foregoing, it will be perceived that the motor 35, impeller 30,etc., are always ready to supply whatever amount of water is needed toreplace the Water which is used in the chemical tank 9. Also due to theforegoing construction and arrangement, the pump and impeller willrotate with no water moving, yet holding the pressure increase steady onany given pressure: thus, no pressure by-pass or relief is needed forthe pump.

Having thus disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. A bypass water treating apparatus comprising a pressure vesselcontaining the treating agent;

a distributor member having top, bottom and intermediate portions;

the bottom portion of said distributor member being adapted forremovable sealing attachment to the top of said pressure vessel;

the top portion of said distributor having a circular cylindrical pumpchamber;

the bottom of said pump chamber being defined by the top surface of saidtop portion;

said distributor member having a water inlet passage extending from theoutside of the intermediate portion thereof to the approximate center ofthe upper surface of said top portion;

a water inlet line connecting said water inlet passage with a waterservice conduit;

a water distribution tube attached to and depending downwardly into saidpressure vessel from the approximate center of the under surface of saidbottom portion;

a water passage extending downwardly from the periphery of the topsurface of the upper portion of said distributor member andcommunicating with the top end of said distribution tube;

a liquid outlet passage extending from the under surface of said bottomportion to the outside of said intermediate portion;

a liquid outlet line connecting said liquid outlet passage With thewater service conduit upstream of the connection of the water inlet linewith said water service conduit;

a valve for controlling the amount of liquid flowing from said liquidoutlet passage;

a cap for the top of said distributor member, the top of saiddistributor member and the bottom of said cap providing between them apump chamber;

a cylindrical pump impeller mounted for rotation in said pump chamber;

shaft means attached to said impeller and extending through the top ofsaid cap for enabling the driving of said rotary pump;

motor means mounted on the top of said cap and attached to said shaftmeans for driving said rotary P p;

a relief line establishing communication between the interior of saidpump chamber and the atmosphere and a relief valve in said relief line.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the valve for controlling theamount of liquid flowing from the liquid outlet passage is a needlevalve in the water inlet line.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the valve for controlling theamount of liquid flowing from the liquid outlet passage is a needlevalve in the liquid outlet passage.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one check valve isprovided in each of said liquid inlet line and said liquid outlet line.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 461,235 10/1891 Butler 23-2728 X557,300 3/1896 Barber 103-115 885,108 4/1908 Trent 103103 2,304,846 12/1942 Pinkerton 23272.7 X 2,634,110 4/1953 Rupp 239310 X 2,935,994 5/1960Schwieger 137-268 3,052,525 9/ 1962 Vogelmann 23272.7 3,266,870 8/1966Cianflone 23-272.7 X 3,306,220 2/1967 Dahlgren 103-87 3,324,798 6/1967Freed 103-87 NORMAN YUDKOFF, Primary Examiner.

S. EMERY, Assistant Examiner.

1. A BYPASS WATER TREATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A PRESSURE VESSELCONTAINING THE TREATING AGENT; A DISTRIBUTOR MEMBER HAVING TOP, BOTTOMAND INTERMEDIATE PORTIONS; THE BOTTOM PORTION OF SAID DISTRIBUTOR MEMBERBEING ADAPTED FOR REMOVABLE SEALING ATTACHMENT TO THE TOP OF SAIDPRESSURE VESSEL; THE TOP PORTION OF SAID DISTRIBUTOR HAVING A CIRCULARCYLINDRICAL PUMP CHAMBER; THE BOTTOM OF SAID PUMP CHAMBER BEING DEFINEDBY THE THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID TOP PORTION; SAID DISTRIBUTOR MEMBERHAVING A WATER INLET PASSAGE EXTENDING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THEINTERMEDIATE PORTION THEREOF TO THE APPROXIMATE CENTER OF THE UPPERSURFACE OF SAID TOP PORTION; A WATER INLET LINE CONNECTING SAID WATERINLET PASSAGE WITH A WATER SERVICE CONDUIT; A WATER DISTRIBUTION TUBEATTACHED TO AND DEPENDING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID PRESSURE VESSEL FROM THEAPPROXIMATE CENTER OF THE UNDER SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM PORTION. A WATERPASSAGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE PERIPHERY OF THE TOP SURFACE OFTHE UPPER PORTION OF SAID DISTRIBUTOR MEMBER AND COMMUNICATING WITH THETOP END OF SAID DISTRIBUTION TUBE; A LIQUID OUTLET PASSAGE EXTENDINGFROM THE UNDER SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM PORTION TO THE OUTSIDE OF SAIDINTERMEDIATE PORTION; A LIQUID OUTLET LINE CONNECTING SAID LIQUID OUTLETPASSAGE WITH THE WATER SERVICE CONDUIT UPSTREAM OF THE CONNECTION OF THEWATER INLET LINE WITH SAID WATER SERVICE CONDUIT;